5.0(5 Reviews)Florida Gulf Coast Inshore Fishing Charter
5.0(5 reviews)
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Top Rated
Private inshore charter targeting Black Drum and Crevalle JackAll gear, licenses, snacks and drinks includedExpert guidance from Captain John for all skill levels
Captain Johnny Funk knows these Florida Gulf Coast waters like the back of his hand, and when you're looking to target black drum, crevalle jack, and a whole mess of other inshore species, you want someone who's got their finger on the pulse of where fish are holding. This isn't your typical tourist fishing trip - it's a proper morning session designed to put you on fish, whether you've been casting lines for decades or you're just figuring out which end of the rod to hold. With space for just two anglers, you'll get personalized attention and won't be fighting for rail space or competing with a crowd.
Your morning kicks off with Captain Johnny handling all the details - licenses, gear, snacks, and drinks are covered, so you can focus on what matters: catching fish. The Florida Gulf Coast inshore waters offer some of the most consistent fishing you'll find, with grass flats, oyster bars, and structure that hold everything from schooling jack crevalle to hefty black drum. Johnny's got the local knowledge to read conditions and adjust the game plan based on tides, weather, and what's been biting. These aren't random spots marked on a GPS - they're productive areas that have been putting fish in the boat season after season. The intimate two-person setup means you're not just another face in the crowd; you'll get hands-on instruction if you need it, or the freedom to work your own techniques if you're dialed in.
Professional-grade fishing gear is provided, which means you're working with rods and reels that can handle everything from finicky snook to bruiser tarpon. Depending on conditions and target species, you'll be working with live bait, artificials, or a combination of both. Inshore fishing here means reading the water - looking for bait schools, working structure like docks and mangroves, and understanding how tides move fish around. Captain Johnny will have you casting into potholes in the grass flats for redfish, pitching baits around structure for snook, or working deeper channels where black drum cruise. The beauty of inshore fishing is the variety - you might be sight-casting to cruising fish one minute and bottom fishing for grouper the next. Circle hooks for live bait, proper drag settings, and knowing when to set the hook versus letting the fish take it - these are the details that separate a good day from a great one.
"Great experience all the way around. Captain Johnny really put us on the fish and Cooper was great at keeping three 11-12 year old boys engaged and occupied. Perfect weather, lots of fish and lots of fun was had by all. I would highly recommend." - Dale
"We hire Captain Johnny often. He picks up right form our dock. The sunset and fishing cruises are amazing! He knows the best fishing holes and makes the cruise fun every time. We love how knowledgable and passionate he is about the environment and fishing. He's a cool guy and you won't regret booking. We saw a ton of manatee and had a really awesome encounter with a dolphin. My father-in-law said several times "That's the best experience I've had in 71 years". Thank you Johnny!" - Diana
"Best charter ever. Captain Johnny Funk was very knowledgeable about where the fish were biting and getting us on them quickly. I highly recommend Funked Up Fishing. The price was right as well." - Artagnan
Redfish are the bread and butter of Florida Gulf Coast inshore fishing, and for good reason. These copper-colored bruisers love shallow water and put up a serious fight once hooked. You'll find them tailing in skinny water during higher tides, cruising grass flats, and holding around structure. Spring through fall offers the most consistent action, though winter can produce some monster fish. What makes reds so special is their willingness to eat both live and artificial baits, plus that distinctive drum-like sound they make when you get them to the boat.
Crevalle jack are pure adrenaline on a fishing rod. These silver bullets travel in schools and when you find them, the action can be non-stop. They're aggressive feeders that will crush topwater lures, spoons, and live bait with equal enthusiasm. Jacks are year-round residents, but spring and summer see the biggest concentrations. They're not the prettiest fish in the water, but pound-for-pound, few species fight harder. Expect screaming runs and multiple jumps when you hook into a good one.
Black drum are the heavyweights of the inshore scene, with fish over 30 pounds not uncommon in these waters. They're bottom feeders that love crabs and shrimp, making them perfect targets for anglers who enjoy the anticipation of a slow, deliberate bite followed by a bulldogging fight. Winter and spring are prime time for big drum, especially around structure and deeper holes. These fish have serious pulling power and will test your drag system.
Snook are Florida's signature inshore species, and the Gulf Coast holds some quality fish. They're ambush predators that love structure - docks, mangroves, bridges, and creek mouths are all prime snook real estate. The closed season during summer protects spawning fish, but fall through spring offers excellent opportunities. Snook are notorious for their gill-rattling jumps and their ability to cut you off on structure if you're not careful with your drag.
Gag grouper bring the reef fishing experience to inshore waters. These bottom dwellers love hard structure and will absolutely smoke your bait when they decide to eat. They're available year-round in federal waters, with the shallower inshore fish providing great action on lighter tackle. Gags are excellent table fare and their initial run when hooked will surprise anglers used to other inshore species.
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the workhorses of the flats - powerful, bulldogging fighters that can really bend a rod. We typically see fish from 5-30 pounds, with some real tanks pushing 40-plus. They're not pretty - dark gray to black with barbels under their chin - but they make up for looks with strength. Find them on shallow oyster bars, grass flats, and around structure in 2-15 feet during spring spawning season. That's prime time when they school up and feed heavily. Guests enjoy the steady, powerful fight and the fact that smaller fish (under 15 pounds) are excellent eating. Bigger ones get tough and wormy, so we usually release those. The key is fresh crab - blue crab, fiddler crab, or shrimp worked on bottom. Use circle hooks and be patient. When they pick up the bait, let them run with it before setting the hook.
Caranx HipposCrevalle Jacks are the bulldogs of the flats - pure muscle and attitude packed into a silver torpedo. Most run 3-5 pounds and 12-24 inches, but don't let size fool you. These fish fight way above their weight class with blistering runs that'll test your drag. Look for bird activity over baitfish schools - that's where you'll find jacks busting the surface. They roam grass flats, sandy bays, and around structures year-round, but summer months bring the best action when bait is thick. Guests love them because they're aggressive strikers and never quit fighting. They're not great table fare, but they're perfect for light tackle thrills. Here's the key: retrieve fast and keep that bait moving. Jacks love the chase, so silver spoons, fast-moving jigs, and topwater plugs worked aggressively will trigger explosive strikes.
Mycteroperca MicrolepisGag Grouper are solid fighters that hang around hard bottom and structure in 20-100 feet of water. Most of our fish run 15-25 inches, with the occasional bruiser pushing 30-plus. They're not the prettiest fish - kind of mottled gray with a boxy look - but they make up for it with a solid fight and excellent eating. Peak season runs spring through early summer when they're shallow for spawning. What guests love most is the challenge - these fish are structure huggers, so once hooked, they'll try to cut you off on rocks or dive into holes. The meat is white, flaky, and perfect for the dinner table. My advice: use heavy leader and keep steady pressure once you hook up. Don't give them an inch or they'll wrap you up in the rocks. Live bait works best, especially pinfish or grunts fished right on bottom.
Lutjanus GriseusGrey Snappers, or Mangrove Snappers as most folks call them, are smart, scrappy fighters that'll test your skills. Most run 10-14 inches inshore, though we occasionally see 3-4 pounders around deeper structure. They're reddish-gray with that classic snapper look and sharp little teeth. You'll find them around docks, mangroves, rocks, and any structure that provides cover in 5-30 feet of water. They bite year-round but are most active in warmer months. Guests love them because they're excellent eating - white, flaky meat that's perfect fried or grilled. They're also great for kids since they bite readily. The trick is being patient - these fish are cautious. Use light tackle, small hooks, and live shrimp fished on or near bottom. Keep your bait still; too much movement will spook them off your offering.
Elops SaurusLadyfish are scrappy little fighters that punch way above their weight class. Most run 12-18 inches and 1-3 pounds, but they'll jump and thrash like mini tarpon when hooked. They're silver, slender fish that love shallow bays, grass flats, and around docks in 2-10 feet of water. You can catch them year-round, but summer brings the best action when baitfish are thick. Guests enjoy them on light tackle because they're aggressive strikers and acrobatic fighters - great for kids and beginners. They're not great eating, but they make excellent live bait for bigger fish like tarpon and snook. The beauty is they're easy to catch with small jigs, live shrimp, or cut bait. Pro tip: use a wire leader or heavy fluorocarbon - those small teeth are sharp and they'll bite through light line in a heartbeat.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are one of the most popular inshore targets here on the Gulf Coast, and for good reason. These copper-colored beauties with their signature black spots typically run 20-28 inches, though we see plenty of slot fish in the 18-27 inch range. They love super shallow water - sometimes so shallow their backs show above the surface. You'll find them around oyster bars, grass flats, and mangrove shorelines in 1-4 feet of water. Spring through fall offers the best action, especially on moving tides. What makes reds special is their powerful fight and excellent table fare when kept within slot limits. They'll eat everything from live shrimp to topwater plugs. Pro tip: when sight fishing, cast well ahead of cruising fish and let your bait settle - reds spook easily in skinny water but can't resist a well-placed offering.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are the crown jewel of Florida inshore fishing. These sleek, silver-sided beauties with their distinctive black lateral line typically run 18-30 inches in our waters. They love structure - mangrove shorelines, docks, bridges, and oyster bars in 2-10 feet of water. Summer and early fall are prime time, especially around moving water during dawn and dusk. What makes snook special is their explosive strikes and acrobatic fights, plus they're outstanding table fare with firm, white meat. They're also famously finicky, which adds to the challenge. Look for them in brackish areas where fresh water meets salt, particularly after summer rains. Pro tip: use live shrimp or pilchards and work them slow around structure. Snook are ambush predators, so let your bait drift naturally into their strike zone rather than constantly moving it.
Megalops AtlanticusTarpon are the ultimate bucket-list fish - massive silver kings that can jump 10 feet out of the water. We see fish from 50-150 pounds, with some real giants pushing 200. They migrate through our waters from spring through fall, with peak action May through August. You'll find them rolling on flats, around bridges, and near deep channels in 10-50 feet of water. What makes tarpon special isn't the eating (they're all catch and release) - it's the sheer spectacle of hooking something that big and athletic. The jumps are absolutely wild, and the fights can last hours on lighter tackle. Best conditions are early morning or late evening with live bait like crabs or mullet. Key tip: bow to the fish when it jumps - drop your rod tip to give slack, or that aerial show will throw your hook. Patience and persistence pay off with these prehistoric giants.
5.0 out of 5.0Great experience all the way around. Captain Johnny really put us on the fish and Cooper was great at keeping three 11-12 year ol...
We hire Captain Johnny often. He picks up right form our dock. The sunset and fishing cruises are amazing! He knows the best fishi...
Fun trip with a variety of fish caught. Will book again next time in the area.
Best charter ever. Captain Johnny Funk was very knowledgeable about where the fish were biting and getting us on them quickly. I h...
Wow what a great experience!
St. Petersburg, FL